BigCatsWildCats

Asiatic Cheetah

Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubalus venaticus

The Asiatic cheetah is a Critically Endangered big cat. Also known as the Iranian cheetah, it is estimated that there are less than 100 cats currently living in the wild. The Asiatic cheetah once lived in India, Afghanistan, Arabia and Pakistan. Now there are only small groups of Asiatic cheetahs in various Iranian reserves, with occasional sightings in Pakistan. The Asiatic cheetah is one of only three wild cats that can be found in Iran.

About the Asiatic Cheetah

The Asiatic cheetah is generally believed to have separated from African cheetahs somewhere between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago. More recent research places the separation at 5,000 years ago. Young cats were often captured in the wild, tamed and trained to hunt by Indian nobility.

Physical Appearance

The Asiatic cheetah can grow (from head to body) up to 4.5 feet long, with a tail almost 3.5 feet in length. Their heads are smaller than African cheetahs. The cat’s fur is tan with black spots. They also have a stripe that runs from the corner of the eyes to the nose and mouth area.

Territory

Asiatic cheetahs prefer open habitats, such as plains and deserts. Most of the remaining cats can be found in five sanctuaries:

Touran National Park

Daranjir Wildlife Reserve

Naybandan Wildlife Reserve

Kavir National Park

Bafq Protected Area

Cheetah males will establish a territory. Females will frequently travel, sometimes for very long distances.

Hunting & Prey

The Asiatic cheetah primarily preys on gazelle, but will also eat wild goats, sheep and hare.

Reproduction

Cheetah males will seek out female cheetahs for mating at approximately one year of age. The females begin to mate at two years of age. Cheetah males have a low sperm count, resulting in a low number of cheetah births.

The female cheetah gestation period is 90 to 100 days. Female cheetahs can have up to 9 cubs, but most will end up dying due to predators.

The female cheetah will take care of her cubs and travel with them until they reach 1 to 1.5 years of age. After the cheetah mother leaves, the young females will go off on their own. The males will stay together or, in the case of only one or two males, join another group of males.

Asiatic Cheetah Conservation

Asiatic cheetahs prey on wild goats, sheep and gazelle. Although cheetahs are known to inhabit desert areas and plain, some Iranian cheetahs can be found in more rugged, mountain-like terrain.

The Asiatic cheetah’s near extinction is the result of hunting, loss of prey, human conflict and loss of habitat.

Asiatic Cheetah Facts

The Asiatic cheetah is critically endangered – less than 100 cats remain in the wild.

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Asiatic Cheetahs: Featured Stories

A family of Asiatic cheetahs has been spotted in Iran’s Turan national park. The mother and four cubs were discovered by conservationists at the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. The Asiatic cheetah... Read more →